Miller does it all for Knights

Kaneland's Dan Miller comes out of a screen while working on an offensive scheme at practice on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012.

MAPLE PARK – Dan Miller almost always played guard in his early basketball days, and the Kaneland senior learned the ropes of playing point guard and defending on the perimeter at the high school level throughout his freshman year.

Now, his role is different, but he still uses that experience to his benefit.

Miller will play every position at one point or another for Kaneland this year, and coach Brian Johnson expects him to be a menace on the defensive side of the floor.

“Dan is kind of a do-it-all guy,” Johnson said. “More times than not, we’ll put him on the best offensive player. It could be a 6-foot-4 post player and 5-foot-8 point guard, … he’s versatile. We’ll play him inside-out. He really has a chance to change his game and step up into a bigger role than last year.”

The Knights will need that increased production this season after losing four starters, including graduated seniors Marcel Neil, Trever Heinle and Tyler Heinle and junior Thomas Williams, who moved to Texas at the beginning of the year.

For a team light on experience, Miller’s extended time on the floor last season will be of great value to the Knights.

“We’re kind of short on guys, so everyone needs to step it up on offense and contribute a lot more than we did last year,” Miller said.

It also will be crucial for players to be able to play a vast array of positions on a thin team.

Miller has no problem with that.

“It’s fun to mix things up a little bit and see different types of positions, so I enjoy it,” Miller said. “If we need someone to play a position, I’d be happy to play any position.”

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